Tablet assembly

ABSTRACT

A tablet assembly for use with a seating structure, including a shaft attached to the seating structure, the shaft further attached to a tablet plate, and wherein the tablet plate includes an attaching tube arranged for swivel mount to a corresponding end of the shaft.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of co-pending provisional application Ser. No. 63/152,396, filed 23 Feb. 2021.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a tablet assembly, including a tablet plate and mechanism for movably attaching the tablet plate to a stationary object, such as a chair. Known devices may not have an optimal range of motion, and may either swing too far thereby rendering them awkward to use, or swing too little making ingress and egress of the cooperating chair difficult. The present invention seeks to ameliorate these shortcomings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A tablet assembly for attachment to a chair or other seating is taught. The tablet assembly includes a tablet plate, the tablet plate attached to the seating by way of a shaft which may be either externally or internally mounted to the seating. The tablet plate includes a bottom surface having a tube. The tube is arranged for swivel mount to a corresponding proximal end of the shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tablet assembly according to the present invention and showing a cover in phantom.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the tablet assembly illustrated in FIG. 1, and showing a cover.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tablet assembly illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, but externally attached to a chair during use.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, similar to that of FIG. 3, but showing the tablet plate attached internally to a chair.

FIG. 5A is a top view of a tablet assembly attached to a chair as shown in FIG. 1, and in the use position.

FIG. 5B is a view similar to that of FIG. 5A, but showing the tablet plate rotated about the shaft for access to the chair.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a tablet plate according to the present invention and showing the tablet tube.

FIG. 6A is an enlarged portion of FIG. 6 and showing the tablet tube.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the tablet plate and tablet tube illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 6A.

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the tablet plate illustrated in FIGS. 6-7, but showing the tablet shaft in interaction with the tablet tube.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary side view of the tablet assembly showing interaction of tablet plate and shaft.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the tablet assembly illustrated in FIG. 9, and taken along lines 10-10 thereof.

FIG. 11A is a sectional view of the tablet assembly illustrated in FIG. 9, and taken along lines 11A-11A thereof.

FIG. 11B is a sectional view of the tablet assembly, similar to that of FIG. 11A, but showing the tablet plate rotated about the shaft.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.

With attention to FIG. 1, a tablet assembly 10 according to the present invention may be seen. As shown, the tablet assembly 10 preferably includes a tablet plate 12 and a supporting shaft 14. The shaft 14 is adapted for attachment to seating, such as the chair 16 shown in FIG. 3-5B by way of known means such as screws, bolts, or other acceptably secure attachment (not shown). The tablet plate 12 includes a top surface 18 and a bottom surface 20. The top surface 16 may be provided with a cover 22, such as solid wood, solid surface, or laminated plywood, by way of example, as may be preferred by the aesthetics of the user.

As may be seen in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6-11B, the bottom surface 20 of the tablet plate 12 includes an upstanding tablet tube 24. The tablet tube 24 may be attached to the bottom surface 20 of the tablet plate 12 by way of known methods, such as welding. With particular attention to FIGS. 6A and 7, the tablet tube 24 includes a shank portion 46, the shank portion 46 having a shank distal end 48, a shank proximal end 50, a shank circumference CC, and a shank length LL. The tablet tube 24 being attached to the bottom surface 20 of the tablet plate 12 at the shank proximal end 50.

With specific attention to FIGS. 7-11B, it may be seen that the tablet tube 24 further preferably includes a cutout portion 30. As will be discussed, the cutout portion 30 cooperates with a corresponding key 38 to thereby limit the swivel motion of the tablet plate 12 when in use. As is illustrated, the cutout portion 30 is located at the shank distal end 48 and extends along a predetermined portion LL′ of the shank length LL. Moreover, the cutout portion 30 has an arc length AL that extends around a predetermined portion of the shank circumference CC. With particular attention to FIG. 6A, it may be seen that the cutout portion 30 arc length AL preferably, extends approximately 105 degrees of the total shank circumference CC, although it may extend greater or lesser degrees depending on the degree of rotation desired. As will be discussed, the cutout portion 30 is sized and shaped to engage a stop limiting key 38.

With reference now to FIG. 2, the shaft 14 may be seen to include a shaft distal end 26 and a shaft proximal end 28. The shaft proximal end 28 terminating in an attachment end 52 and being arranged for attachment to the tablet tube 24 to allow swivel movement of the tablet plate 12. The attachment end 52 may be secured to the tablet plate 12 by way of known means, such as the screw 42 and washer 44 shown. As may be seen particularly in FIGS. 2, 8, and 9, the shaft proximal end 28 further includes a portion of reduced thickness 32 adapted for engagement within the tablet tube 24. As shown, the area of reduced thickness 32 may include circumferential grooves 34 arranged to receive O-rings 36. The O-rings 36 are seated in the circumferential grooves 34 to thereby provide friction and secure seating of the portion of reduced thickness 32 within the tablet tube 24. Moreover, this arrangement ensures consistent rotational tension between the component parts 14, 24 during use. In addition, a wear washer 54 may be included to further ensure consistent rotational tension in use. As seen, the shaft proximal end 28 preferably includes an integrated stop limiting key 38. As mentioned, the stop limiting key 328 is arranged to engage and butt against the cutout portion 30 of the tube 24 during use, to thereby limit swivel motion of the tablet plate 12 by the user. With particular attention to FIGS. 11A and 11B, when the tablet plate 12 rotates in a first direction, the cutout portion 30 of the tube 24 allows the tablet plate 12 to rotate along the arc length AL until the stop limiting key 38 butts against the cutout portion 30 of the tube 24. Likewise, rotational travel of the tablet plate 12 in a second, opposite direction along the arc length AL is limited by contact with the cutout portion 30 by the key 33. As illustrated, a shaft sleeve 40 may be provided to protect the proximal end 28 of the shaft 14 during use and to provide a uniform appearance to the shaft 14.

A tablet assembly 10 accordingly to the present invention includes a tablet plate 12 having a top surface 18 and a bottom surface 20, the bottom surface 20 having an upstanding tablet tube 24, the upstanding tube 24 including a shank portion 46, the shank portion 46 having a shank distal end 43, a shank proximal end 50, a shank circumference CC, and a shank length LL, and wherein the tablet tube 24 is attached to the bottom surface 20 of the tablet plate 12 at the shank proximal end 50, and wherein the shank distal end 43 includes a cutout portion 30, the cutout portion 30 having a having a length LL′ and a circumference CC. The tablet assembly 10 further includes a supporting shaft 14, the supporting shaft 14 having a shaft distal end 26 and a shaft proximal end 23 terminating in an attachment end 52, wherein the attachment end 52 is adapted for attachment to the upstanding tube 24. As shown, the cutout portion 30 has an arc length AL extending around a predetermined portion of the shank circumference CC, preferably the arc length AL is approximately 105 degrees of the shark circumference CC.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims. 

I/We claim:
 1. A tablet assembly including: a tablet plate having a top surface and a bottom surface, said bottom surface having an upstanding tablet tube, said upstanding tube including a shank portion, said shank portion having a shank distal end, a shank proximal end, a shank circumference, and a shank length, and wherein said tablet tube is attached to said bottom surface of said tablet plate at said shank proximal end, and wherein said shank distal end includes a cutout portion, said cutout portion having a having a length and a circumference; and a supporting shaft, said supporting shaft having a shaft distal end and a shaft proximal end terminating in an attachment end, wherein said attachment end is adapted for attachment to said upstanding tube.
 2. The tablet assembly of claim 1 wherein said cutout portion has an arc length extending around a predetermined portion of said shank circumference.
 3. The tablet assembly of claim 2 wherein said arc length is 105 degrees of said shank circumference.
 4. The tablet assembly of claim 1 wherein said shaft proximal end further includes a portion of reduced thickness arranged for engagement within said tablet tube.
 5. The tablet assembly of claim 4 wherein said area of reduced thickness includes at least one circumferential groove and at least one O-ring, said at least one O-ring being seated in said circumferential groove.
 6. The tablet assembly of claim 4 wherein said shaft proximal end includes an integrated stop limiting key, said stop limiting key arranged to engage said cutout portion.
 7. The tablet assembly of claim 6 wherein said top surface includes a cover, said cover being comprised of solid wood, solid surface, or a laminate. 